UnangelicHalo: Thanks for pointing out the typo. I can't believe I did that...lol. Anyways, all someone would find in her room is Jesse in her bed. He put his clothes back on before he tried to dematerialize, and I realize those clothes would be ghost clothes, but since they were part of him, I decided they just became real like him.

GroundedSouls: Explanations are in this chapter!

PoeticKiss: Thanks for reviewing! I read your story, I really liked it!

And now, Chapter 2: Explanations and the ever popular Paul Slater

Suze's POV:
"Father Dom, we have a problem! Well, really not so much a problem as a really weird situation!" I said, collapsing into one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. I'd called Father Dom at the rectory at 10 that morning, and we'd agreed to meet him at 11 in his office.

Father Dom looked startled. He looked at me, then at Jesse. "Personal or professional?" he asked us.

"Father, everything is great for us." I said. "But if you hadn't noticed, Jesse's ALIVE."

Father Dom looked at Jesse again, in disbelief. "How did I miss it? Well, this is...a really weird situation, as Susannah put it."

"So what are we going to do?" I said. Jesse came and sat down in the chair next to mine. "Father, if you even think of suggesting I move to the rectory, I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I cannot leave Susannah, not when he's running free." Jesse said.

"Not when who's- OH." Realization hit me. I can't believe I forgot. Paul- the reason for my scars- had just been released from the hospital. He'd been treated there for injuries caused by Jake and Brad. Of course, usually, when someone is released from the hospital, they go home and rest. Not Paul. He'd sworn revenge, so I've pretty much got bodyguards no matter where I go. Except the bathroom, but usually CeeCee will find a reason to go in there with me.

Yes. All of my friends know about the incident- I told CeeCee everything about me, mediator-wise, one night at her place- and have sworn to protect me. It's nice, but a pain in the ass sometimes too. Adam now knows- it took some convincing, but I finally got him to believe my 'I-see-dead- people' story. Then he went to 'visit' Paul and is now banned from that hospital.

"No, no, I realize that." Father Dom said. That surprised me, but he seemed very distracted by the lack of golden glow around Jesse. "Just tell your parents something, Susannah, to explain his staying in your house."

Ok, is it a sin for preists to encourage lying? Probably. Did I care? Not really. I sighed. "Now, I'm going to research this..." Father Dom said, waving his hand towards Jesse. Jesse and I stood up and left. We got outside, Jesse's arms around my waist, and started to work out our cover story while walking home.

"We could tell them you're an exchange student, and your host family decided to run." I said. "Of course, you're twenty so that may be a bit unbelievable..." I trailed off as Jesse kissed my neck some more. "Maybe Jake has an idea or something..." I said, attempting to regain my head. Jesse's kisses make me very weak in the knees, and I have a tendency to lose myself if I'm not careful. "So,when we get home, I'll call his place and ask..." More kisses. "But until then..." I turned and planted one on Jesse's full lips. Forget staying on track.

We walked into my house, and I wasn't surprised to find it empty. Brad was at the beach, picking up girls and surfing. David was at the library, as he is most of his waking hours, and Jake was at his place. Or on his way to leave laundry. Whichever.

"I'm HOME!" Jake yelled. He walked into the kitchen, where Jesse and I were, and said, "Hey lovebirds."

I sent him the evil eye. "Jake we need a cover story for Jesse."

"Huh? Why?" Jake said around a mouthful of leftover spaghetti.

"In case you hadn't noticed, he's kinda ALIVE." I said. This look of recognition passed over Jake's eyes. Then it passed, and he said, "He's not staying in your room anymore. He'll stay in my old one." Jake eyed Jesse's 19th century clothes. "And you're going to need new threads. There's stuff in my closet still you can wear." Jesse and Jake went up to Jake's old room and got him dressed. I stayed downstairs and attempted to figure out a plan.

We could tell mom and Andy that his place burned down. Or that his parents kicked him out. Yeah, his parents kicked him out because they didn't get along and he needs a place to crash. The fact that he's my boyfriend has nothing to do with it. I started to run up the steps to tell the guys my plan when a hand reached out and grabbed my wrist.

I yelped. I do NOT like being grabbed by unseen forces. The hand twisted me around and slammed me against the wall.

"Hello Suze."

Jesse's POV:
I heard Susannah yell, and then a crash. I started to run down the steps and came face to face with Paul Slater. Clutching a very scared Susannah.

Anger flowed through my veins. "Jesse, nice to see you again." Slater said calmly.

"Paul, let go of me!" Susannah said fiercely, trying to free herself. Slater's arm was across her throat, letting in air, but keeping her against the wall.

"No, Suze. I don't think I will." Slater said. "And if your dead cowboy boyfriend comes any closer, he's not going to like what happens."

He said that just as I was taking a step. "Jesse, don't listen to him." Susannah said, not quite as fiercely as she had before. Slater was starting to cut off her air supply.

Jake stood behind me, ready to pounce if need be. "Paul, I swear to God...if you don't let go of me, I'm going to make you wish you were born a girl." Susannah said, her voice a whisper.

"Oh yeah?" Slater sneered, pressing harder on Susannah's throat. She winced. "And why's that?"

"Because girls can get kicked in certain areas, and it won't hurt as much." And then Susannah shoved her knee into a very delicate place of a man's anatomy. Jake and I both winced as Slater came crashing down on the floor, doubled over in pain. Susannah fell over as well, and I raced to her side. She massaged her throat and said, "I think I'll be OK."

"Can't say the same for this prick." Jake said, standing over Slater. "How many times do we have to beat you up before you learn to leave my sister alone?" He said darkly.

I moved Susannah to the couch and got her a glass of water. She drank it thirstily and then collapsed against me while Jake called the cops. I wrapped my arms around Susannah and held her until Slater was gone.

"Are you alright, querida?" I asked. Susannah nodded. "He didn't have a chance to do anything except devoid me of air for a little bit."

The police arrived shortly after calling them, and took Slater down to the station for breaking and entering and stalking. I think they also tried to get him for attempted murder, but Slater was shouting so many obscenities that I couldn't hear very well.

Susannah's mother and stepfather came home a few hours later. Jake was still around to help explain exactly why I would need to stay here. Susannah's mother guessed right away that Susannah and I were romantically involved, but I assured her that nothing would happen if I were to stay here. They seemed to buy the story that my parents had asked me to leave my home because we didn't get along, and agreed to let me stay, especially after recalling the afternoons events regarding Paul. Andy and Mary instantly forgot all their arguements when they heard about that, and said I could stay as long as I liked.

Susannah got me settled in Jake's room after dinner. I borrowed more of his clothes the next day so I could go buy some of my own. Monday morning, I went to Father Dominic's office to get my schedule of classes- most of which I had with Susannah- and started life as a human again.

It was a week or so after Slater had been arrested that life started to slide from perfection. The phone rang early in the morning, and after one ring, Susannah must have answered. I knew she was still awake because I had only just left her room. A few minutes later, she came into my room with tear stains on her face.

"Querida, what's wrong?" I asked quietly, pulling her into my arms.

"He's...he's escaped."



OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, who's escaped? Only I know...although, you probably have an idea....